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What Are the New Ivies in 2025

What Are the New Ivies in 2025

Colleges Ranking Index by Rebellion Research

The phrase “New Ivies” refers to colleges and universities outside the traditional eight-member Ivy League whose academic rigor, prestige, employer recognition and student outcomes rival or approach the Ivy League. A recent study by Forbes (March 2025) identified 20 institutions—10 public and 10 private—that meet these criteria. College MatchPoint+3Forbes+3Ivy Central+3

Here are the public “New Ivies” (in alphabetical order):

  1. Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech)
  2. Purdue University (Indiana)
  3. The University of Texas at Austin
  4. University of Illinois Urbana‑Champaign
  5. University of Michigan (Ann Arbor)
  6. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  7. University of Pittsburgh
  8. University of Virginia
  9. College of William & Mary
  10. United States Military Academy (West Point)
    Ivy Central+2Aralia Education+2

Here are the private “New Ivies” (in alphabetical order):

  1. Carnegie Mellon University
  2. Emory University
  3. Georgetown University
  4. Johns Hopkins University
  5. Northwestern University
  6. Rice University
  7. Tufts University
  8. University of Notre Dame
  9. Vanderbilt University
  10. Washington University in St. Louis
    Spark Admissions+2Forbes+2

The Southern Migration and Changing Landscape

Many students and families are shifting their college focus southward. Southern and Sun Belt region universities are gaining market share for several reasons: warmer climate, lower cost of living, rising industry hubs (tech/finance/healthcare), strong athletics cultures, and rising national brand recognition. Institutions like Vanderbilt (in Nashville), Emory (Atlanta region), Rice (Houston), and Texan public universities have gained prestige and selectivity. For example, Vanderbilt is widely cited as the most famous of the southern “New Ivies” because of its blend of academic excellence, athletic visibility, southern setting and strong employer reputation.

At the same time traditional Northeastern elites still matter, but employers reportedly value practical skills, campus impact, diversity of student experience and regional leadership just as much. The Forbes study noted a decline in employer preference for Ivy League graduates over the past five years. Aralia Education+1

Spotlight on Selectivity Shifts and Boston University

One standout case is Boston University (BU). Historically (for example, circa 2012) BU had an overall acceptance rate above 50 percent. Ivy Coach+1
More recent data show BU’s 2024 acceptance rate at approximately 10.85 percent. CollegeTuitionCompare+1
This dramatic shift illustrates how schools outside the Ivy League are increasingly selective, aligning closer with what used to be Ivy-level selectivity.

Why Students Choose These Schools Over Traditional Elites

  • Many of these “New Ivies” offer top caliber academics and research, often with smaller class sizes or favorable student-faculty ratios.
  • They often combine strong national reputation with regional value, leading to robust alumni networks and employer demand.
  • They may offer better geographic diversity, cost advantages (especially public ones), and expanding global visibility.
  • For families seeking competitive credentials without the Ivy League baggage (intense brand scrutiny, cost, regional clustering), these schools present compelling alternatives.

Summary

In 2025 the “New Ivies” list comprises 20 (10 public, 10 private) schools recognized by Forbes for high selectivity, strong employer reputation and academic excellence. A broader informal list might include additional institutions beyond those 20. Southern-regional universities are gaining momentum and drawing high-achieving students. The case of Boston University shows how today’s selectivity landscape has shifted significantly. If you like, I can produce a full extended list of 25 or even 30 schools (beyond the 20) that many commentators include under the “New Ivies” umbrella, with individual profiles and recent stats.

Source Links

  • Forbes “The New Ivies 2025: 20 Great Colleges Employers Love” – March 26 2025. Forbes+2Aralia Education+2
  • IvyCentral “The New Ivies in 2025: A Forbes Study” Ivy Central
  • Spark Admissions “What Are the New Ivies?” Spark Admissions
  • CollegeTuitionCompare “How BU’s Acceptance Rate Changed Over Time” CollegeTuitionCompare
  • IvyCoach “Boston University Acceptance Rate & Admission Statistics” Ivy Coach
  • SF Chronicle article on Forbes list & California schools excluded sfchronicle.com

What Are the New Ivies in 2025

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